Combination tool



Dec. 25, 1951 A, TEFF-r 2,579,768

COMBINATION TOOL Filed 0G13. 9. 1947 BY/@M Patented Dec. 25, 1951 UNITED stares garant orrlcs COMBINATION TOOL Albert A. Tefft, Pawtucket, R. I.

Application October 9, 1947, Serial No. 778,950

(Cl. Sli- 93) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in combination tools used by machinists.

It is greatly desirable for purposes of economy, as well as efficiency, to provide a combination tool wherein a plurality of various tools and gauges may be had by the addition or elimination of various elements to a common base.

An object of the invention is the provision for combining and attaching various elements to a common base so as to provide a large variety of tools and gauges.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a base having certain surfaces thereon which when combined with other elements will provide a square, a beveled protractor, a center head, a short square, a drill grinding gauge, a height gauge, a surface gauge, and will also provide a base and standard for supporting a dial indica tor.

A more specic object of the invention is the provision of a combination tool as set forth in the above objects, which can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost of production, and which will be durable and satisfactory in use.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a face view of a combination tool embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational edge view of the tool shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar View looking from the opposite edge of the tool;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken longitudinally centrally through the base;

Figure 5 is a prospective view of one of the elements of the tool;

Figure 6 is a prospective view of a fragmental portion of another element forming part of the invention;

Figure 7 is a view showing the use of the tool as a short square;

Figure 8 is a view on a reduced scale illustrating the use of the tool as a drill grinding gauge;

Figure 9 is a view on a reduced scale showing the tool as being used as a surface gauge; and

Figure 10 is a View of a scratch awl.

The invention in general comprises a head or base having certain angularly related surfaces or edges, which cooperate with other straightedged elements so as to present work engaging surfaces at certain angles to each other commonly used in the machinists trade. Certain of the elements attached to the base may be relatively moved so as to include different angles than the fixed angles above mentioned.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention, Iii designates generally a tool embodying one form of the invention and having a head or base il. The base il is provided with a central opening i2 and four straight sides i3, I, l5, and lli presenting work engaging surfaces. The side ifi joins the side i3 and extends therefrom at a right angle thereto. The side l5 joins the side Hl at a forty degree angle thereto. The side i5 joins at right angles with the side i5 and includes a forty-five degree angle with the side i3. The sides i3 and it are joined to each other by a curved portion Vi; thus there is provided a base the sides of which are angularly related to each other in angles commonly used in measuring or laying out machinists work.

In the side i4 a recess i8 is provided in which is slidably received a straight-edged member in the form of a ruler I9. The four edge portions of this ruler may be graduated in increments of fractions of an inch in a manner which usually appears on rulers of this type. The ruler is provided with a central groove 2i? extending longitudinally from end to end thereof. The ruler is adjustably secured in the recess it in a manner generally similar to that employed for securing the ruler in a combination square and comprises a member 2l having a projection 22 at one end thereof and a threaded portion 23 at the other end. This member is received in an opening 24 extending from the central opening i2 into the walls of the recess it. The projection 22 engages in the groove 2d and a imurled member 26 is threadedly received by the portion 23 so to force the ruler Iii against the bottom oi' the recess i8 thereby securing the ruler i9 in adjustable position to the base l i. The member 2t is recessed to receive a compression spring 25 which encircles the member 2! so as to bias the projection 22 towards the bottom of the recess I8. In the opposite side of the base there is alstI provided a recess 27 similar to the recess I8 in which the ruler It may be received and secured in adjusted position in manner similar to that above described, such as by employing the memu ber 2| and its associated parts. Thus there is provided a combination square having adjustable straight edge thereon, which is adapted ier use under a greater number of particular conditions than the ordinary common combination square may be put to.

At the curved portion I1 of the base, there are provided recesses 23 and 30]. These are similar to each other and extend on opposite face surfaces of the base, as best shown in Figure 3. The edge wall 3l of each recess is on a radius extending from the center of an opening 32 which extends through the walls defining the recesses. In these recesses there is mounted a short straight-edge member 33, best shown in Figure 5. The member 33 has a cored opening 34 which extends longitudinally therein from one end thereof. The opposite end is curved on a curvature similar to the curved portion I1, and this curved portion is bifurcated, providing outer arms 34. In these arms there is provided aligned openings 33.

In mounting this member 33 to the bas-e, the arms 34 are received in the recesses 29 and 30. A threaded member 31 extends through the openings 32 and 36 and has an enlarged head 38 and a knurled nut 33 at the other end for clamping the member 33 in adjustable position to the base. There is sufficient resiliency in the arms 34 to permit their springingtowards each other in clamping relation. The depth of the recesses 29 and 30 are substantially equal to the thickness of the arms 34, and the thickness of the member 33r is substantially that of the base II, thereby providing for the face surface of the arm 33 to extend flush with the face surface of the base il. The shank of the pin 31 is grooved as at 31' to permit the ruler I9 to extend thereby, and when the ruler is in said groove 31 the pin 31 cannot turn as the nut 39 is tightened.

The arms 34 are of a length to extend in close proximity to the edge Walls 3l of the recesses 23 and 3U and is movable about the member 31 as a pivot, whereby the relation of the adjacent edge 33 of the member 33 and edge IG may be varied. The face portion of the Walls of the base adjacent to the walls 3| are graduated in degrees and a datum line 40 is provided on the arms 34 whereby the relative position of the edge 4l to the edge I3 may be determined in degrees. Thus there is additionally provided a tool which provides a beveled protractor and a drill grinding gauge as shown in Figure 8. This part 33 with the base also provides for many other uses, such for example as lengthening the base or edge I3. This may be had by swinging the member 33 to position, the edge 42 thereof in line with th-e edge I3 of the base. With the edge 42 of the member 33 made to extend at a rig-ht angle to the edge I3, a short square is provided for use in such condition, as shown in Figure 1, wherein a usual combination square could not be employed.

The edge portions of member 33 are also graduated in increments of inches thereby addingto the usefulness of the tool. Additional straightedged members 43 presenting work engaging surfaces are provided whereby the member 33 may be lengthened. Each member 43 is similar and is provided at one end th-ereof with a tongue portion 44 which is of a size to be snugly received in the opening 34 of member 33. From the opposite end of member 43 a cored opening 45 similar in size to the opening 34 is provided whereby to receive the tongue portion 44 of an additional member 43, which may be added thereto. Member 43 may also be provided with graduation in continuation of the graduation appearing on the member 33. This latter assembly provides a height gauge, also a Vbase and standard for a sur face gauge, as shown in Figure 9. When used for a surface gauge, a clamp 46 is provided which is slidably attached to the extended portion 48 of member 43 and carries the usual pointer 41. The pointer 41 may be substituted with a dial gauge indicator, thus the base and extended member 33 provides a proper support for the gauge.

The base is also provided with a level 48 held in position in any approved manner, such as by a set screw 50. The base also has an opening 5I extending in the side I6. The member 33 also has an opening 52 which aligns with opening 5I when the member 33 is swung to contact with the surface I6, and provides a convenient receptacle for the awl 53, shown in Figure 10. The latter mentioned position of the member 33 is shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 1.

In securing the ruler I9 in adjusted position, it frequently happens that a relative movement is had between the ruler I9 and the base II. rThis necessitates the readjustment of the ruler I9. In order to maintain the proper setting prior to the tightening of nut 26, balls 54 areV mounted in suitable opening 55 provided in the walls 56 and 51 of the recess i8. (See Figure 2.) Each ball is similarly mounted and urged by a spring 58 into engagement with an indentation forming the graduation on the ruler. A set screw 59 engages the spring 58 to adjust the pressure thereof to maintain sufficient friction on the ruler so as to prevent relative rotation when tightening the nut 26.

I claim:

1. A combination tool comprisingI a base, a recess in an edge of said base, a ruler slidably received in said recess, said ruler having graduations provided by grooves in its surface, and a spring-pressed ball located in a bore opening into said rec-ess and urged into one of said graduation grooves to hold the ruler in adjusted position in said recess.

2. A combination tool comprising a base, a re.- cess in an edge of said base, a ruler slidably received in said recess, said ruler having graduations provided by grooves in its yopposite surfaces, and a pair of spring-pressed balls entering said recess in opposed relation to engage the opposite surfaces ofsaid ruler, one of said balls entering a graduation groove to assist in holding the ruler in adjusted position in said recess.

3. A combination tool comprising a base having a plurality of side edges presenting work engaging surfaces, a member of substantially the thickness of said base, means at the juncture of two of said side edges including a pin with a notch extending laterally thereof and presenting an out of round cross section pivotally mounting said member on said base and comprising tongue and groove means ntertting to prevent thickening of either part of the assembly at the joint, said base having a recess in said side edges forming said juncture with the bottom of the. recess at right angles to one of the edges, a ruler longer than said member presenting workengaging surfaces and slidably received in said recess against the bottom thereof and in the notch in said pin to lock the pin against rotation, said base having graduations in degrees thereon adjacent to the pivotal mounting of said member, and a datum line carried by said member whereby to determine the angular relation between said base and said member.

ALBERTA. TEFFI.

(References on following page) z 5 REFERENCES CITED Number The following references are of record in the 883'041 le of this patent: UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 1:2823330 Number Name Date 404,312 Shepardson May 28, 1889 426,001 Evans Apr. 22, 1890 Number '105,867 Richardson July 29, 1902 17,608 745,171 Esbornson Nov. 24, 1903 10 164,866 813,173 Realing Feb. 20, 1906 Name Date McCurdy Mar. 24, 1908 Hennig-ar et: al. Nov. 8, 1910 Benson Jan. 16, 1917 Benemelis -1.- Oct. 22, 1918 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1890 Switzerland Jan. 2, 1934 

